An electric motorbike rider suffered a compound fracture of his right leg when an SUV turning onto West State Road 2 at K Street in La Porte struck him, according to Region News Source[1]. The report, which was based on charging documents, dates the crash to Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Region News Source reported that a silver Ford Escape was pulling out of a hospital parking lot and turning west onto West State Road 2 when it struck the rider, who was traveling east. The driver, Denise Renee Lumpp, 62, of LaPorte, told police she did not see the motorbike as she began the turn. The rider was not named.
The outlet reported that a first blood draw showed a blood alcohol content of 0.080 percent. It also reported that the driver told police she had used methamphetamine the night before and had consumed one tall can of beer. She was booked into the LaPorte County Jail and charged on November 4 with Level 5 felony operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and two misdemeanors. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The report does not identify the investigating police agency, and the investigation is ongoing.
What should accident victims do next?
If you are hurt while riding a bike, e-bike, or motorbike, get medical care promptly and follow your doctors' instructions. Keep the damaged bike, helmet, and gear. Take photos of your injuries and the scene, and save every medical bill and record of missed work. This Indiana traffic accident checklist explains other practical steps you can take.
Ask the investigating officers for the crash report number. A crash report can usually be obtained after the investigation, but it does not determine civil liability. You should also be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before you understand your options. Learn more about recorded statements and medical releases.
Why location matters in an Indiana injury claim
This crash happened at a state highway intersection in La Porte, in LaPorte County. A civil case is usually filed in the county where the crash happened or where a defendant lives. The investigating agency's crash report and any criminal case records can be important evidence.
A criminal charge and a civil injury claim are separate. The criminal case concerns punishment. A civil claim concerns losses such as medical bills, lost income, and pain. A charge alone does not establish civil liability.
Indiana drivers must carry minimum liability insurance under Ind. Code 9-25-4-5: 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per crash for bodily injury, plus 25,000 dollars for property damage. Those limits may be insufficient for a serious leg fracture. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under Ind. Code 27-7-5-2 may help when the responsible driver's available coverage is insufficient, depending on the policy. An injured rider can review more information about Indiana underinsured motorist coverage.
Indiana uses modified comparative fault under Ind. Code 34-51-2-6. An injured person whose fault is greater than 50 percent cannot recover, while a lower percentage of fault reduces the recovery by that percentage. Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years under Ind. Code 34-11-2-4.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a personal injury law firm in Fort Wayne founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm helps people across Indiana who have been hurt because of carelessness on the road, including cyclists and e-bike riders. A Fort Wayne e-bike accident attorney can explain how insurance coverage, a criminal case, and a civil claim may fit together.
Insurance companies may aggressively defend a claim by disputing fault, medical causation, or the amount of a loss. Delventhal Law Office can review the available records, insurance policies, and applicable deadlines. Every case is different, and no result can be promised. The firm offers a free case evaluation.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
